MICHAEL SEMBELLO – Bossa Nova Hotel / Maniac [Japan Ltd SHM-CD remastered] (2018) Exclusive

Here we bring to you another exclusive; the just released first time on SHM-CD Japanese reissue of MICHAEL SEMBELLO‘s debut album “Bossa Nova Hotel / Maniac”, in a mini-LP cardboard sleeve packaging and featuring a fresh 2018 remaster.
This is Michael’s first recognized solo album where he sings, perform most instruments and wrote and co-wrote all songs. The album is known as “Maniac” in Japan, and this is the title you need you fill when you place your purchase order.
And that’s not strange: this Sembello’s debut album includes the smash hit “Maniac”, used in the blockbuster movie Flashdance.

“Bossa Nova Hotel / Maniac” was originally released in 1983, and at the time I was full-in into Journey, Survivor, Foreginer, etc. but also metal classic bands such as Judas Priest, Maiden, Saxon and more.
However, I always was mind-open to other types of music, and when a friend came with a brand new LP of “Bossa Nova Hotel” I was hooked with the first bits.

Michael Sembello’s rock&pop is heavily dominated by synths, bass synth and electro-drums, but also by biting guitar solos and strong vocals. Additionally, the songwriting is more juicy than initially you could think of.
Produced by the legendary Phil Ramone with a pristine sound, “Bossa Nova Hotel” is a first half of the ’80s classic, plenty of timeless pop/rock melodies.

Of course, it has ‘that’ song; the Oscar nominated #1 selling song ‘Maniac’, to which a very sweaty Jennifer Beals exercises to in the film Flashdance. The other top 40 single taken from the album is the catchy ‘Automatic Man’, and AORish tune that always reminded me of David Roberts.
Through the album, Sembello takes you on a musical rollercoaster ride from the emotional ‘Talk’ with Westcoast touches, to the high octane ‘Godzilla’, a typical ’80s radio ready tune.

Elegant midtempo ‘It’s Over’ is one of my favorites (love that electric piano), then the melodic ‘First Time’ features great harmony vocals. All songs are really good in their own right, emphasizing just how tight the arrangements and playing abilities are.

Working with Stevie Wonder in his early years and on various albums as session player such as Dianna Ross, George Benson, Chaka Khan and many, many more, you can see why this guy was in demand… Sembello got the chance with “Bossa Nova Hotel / Maniac”, and he delivers.
And what he delivers here is a pure dose of ’80s rock&pop, and while with following albums – Sembello actually has a melodic rock CD released by Frontiers Music – never could top the smash hit ‘Maniac’, this is one of his finest moments.

The sound quality of this 2018 Japanese remastering job is amazing, seriously, this SHM-CD sound dynamics are incredible, believe me.
Pure ’80s stuff
HIGHLY Recommended

0dayrox exclusive

Warner Music Japan ～ 【WPCR-18056】
【ＬＴＤ ＳＨＭ－ＣＤ】 「 ＣＡＲＤＢＯＡＲＤ  ＳＬＥＥＶＥ 」

01 – Automatic Man
02 – First Time
03 – Cowboy
04 – It’s Over
05 – Maniac
06 – Godzilla
07 – Talk
08 – Cadillac
09 – Lay Back
10 – Superman

Michael Sembello – vocals, bass synth, bass, guitar, synthesizers, acoustic guitar, LinnDrum, Fender Rhodes, percussion
Danny Sembello – bass synth, tack piano, keyboards, synthesizers, piano
Vinnie Colaiuta – drums
Nathan Watts – bass
Paulinho Da Costa – percussion
Carlos Vega – drums, Simmons drums
Don Freeman – keyboards
Larry McNeely – banjo
Chris Page – additional synthesizer
Cruz Baca Sembello – guest vocals on “Talk”
Dennis Matkosky – keyboards, synthesizers
George Duke – synthesizer solo
Dennis Karmazyn – cello
Jerry Hey, Gary Herbig, Gary Grant, William Reichenbach – horns
Oscar Castro-Neves – string arranger, conductor
Michael, John, Danny & Cruz Baca Sembello, Liza Miller – background vocals

BUY IT !
www.cdjapan.co.jp/product/WPCR-18056
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